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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL at CAR | BAL at CLE | BUF at TEN | CHI at SF | CIN at PIT | DAL at GB | DEN at WAS | DET at MIN |
| JAX at NYJ | KC at OAK | NE at IND | NO at STL | PHI at SD | SEA at ARI | TB at MIA | |
Week 10 Game Recap: New Orleans Saints 28, St. Louis Rams 23
New Orleans Saints
| QB Drew Brees, Pass: 18 - 26 - 223 - 2 TD / 2 INT |
On paper this looked to be one of the juicier matchups for Brees this season, however due to a myriad of reasons (play calling, game pace, mistakes, Rams blitzing) he turned in a rather pedestrian performance in week 10. Brees looked sharp on his reads but seldom threw the ball downfield, opting instead for short and intermediate routes mixed in with a heavy dose of the Saints running attack. He turned the ball over twice in the contest, but neither were poor throws (one on a tip, the other on great coverage). Despite all of this, Brees still managed to lead the Saints to yet another win, spreading the ball to 7 different players and throwing two key TD passes on the afternoon.
| RB Pierre Thomas, Rush: 11 - 37 - 0, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (3 targets) |
Thomas played a smaller role in week 10 than he had in previous weeks and was essentially well contained by the Rams aggressive defense. Aside from an 11 yd gain in the 2nd quarter, he only rushed for 26 yards on his other 11 carries. Thomas did display his usual straight-ahead powerful running, but found no room to work with. With the Saints backfield getting more and more crowded by the week (due to the re-emergence of Reggie Bush), it will be hard to guess who to deploy on a week to week basis.
| RB Mike Bell, Rush: 8 - 30 - 0 |
Bell found little running space in week 10 as the Rams aggressive defense slowed him to a crawl. Bell rushed for 30 yards on 8 carries, however there is a chance that his slice of the Saints running back pie could be getting smaller by the week. With 2 healthy (and quite frankly, better) RB's in front him Bell could find it hard to see many carries moving forward barring an injury.
| RB Reggie Bush, Rush: 6 - 83 - 1, Rec: 2 - 15 - 1 (2 targets) |
Bush was electrifying in week 10 and appears to be gaining strength as the season progresses. He was the Saints most important player in week 10 totaling 98 yards and 2 TD's. It was Bush's first multiple TD game in over a year. He ran with surprising force and power for a player of his stature and made quick decisions at the line of scrimmage. Bush was able to rip off a 55 yard gain due to his quick decision making. Bush was able to do his damage on just 8 touches, and his weekly improvements may force the Saints to give him a bigger chunk of work moving forward.
| RB Kyle Eckel, Rush: 2 - 6 - 0 |
The bruising fullback saw a couple a carries in week 10, carrying for 6 yards total.
| WR Devery Henderson, Rec: 4 - 72 - 0 (6 targets) |
Henderson turned in another vital effort for the Saints in week 10 leading the team in targets (6) and receiving yards (72). Henderson worked both sides of the field and used his speed to create separation from the Rams DB's. He was not able to get open deep this week due to the Rams aggressive defense forcing Brees to make quicker reads. He is due for a long TD catch as he has been held scoreless since week 1.
| WR Marques Colston, Rush: 1 - 6 - 0, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (2 targets) |
Make this two weeks in a row that Colston has turned in a disappointing performance for the Saints. Last week Colston shot himself in the foot with dropped passes, this week he fumbled as he jumped into the air and stretched out for the goal line. Drew Brees did not have much time to find his receivers in week 10, and this severely damaged Colston's ability to produce as he saw just 2 targets during the game. Keep an eye on this situation, two weeks is a trend.
| WR Robert Meachem, Rush: 1 - 41 - 0, Rec: 1 - 27 - 1 (1 targets) |
Meachem made the most of his lone target this week as he was able to beat double coverage deep into the middle of the end zone for a 27 yard TD. Meachem also had a terrific 41 yard end around run that help setup a Saints score later in the game.
| TE David Thomas, Rec: 5 - 45 - 0 (6 targets) |
The seldom used Thomas was a major player in week 10 for the Saints. Thomas was targeted often in short and intermediate routes due to pressure on Drew Brees. Thomas was flawless in the passing game, often turning short passes into decent gains with a downhill running style. Thomas also threw a key block to spring Robert Meachem on his end around.
| TE Jeremy Shockey, Rec: 3 - 42 - 0 (5 targets) |
Shockey turned in a modest offering in week 10. He found himself open often, however Brees was not given enough time to find him in most cases. Shockey reeled in 3 catches for 42 yards and looked strong doing so. He continues his career resurgence and is making the most of his chances when called upon. He remains a low-end TE1 in most leagues; lacking the consistent TD's to give him more value week to week.
St. Louis Rams
| QB Marc Bulger, Pass: 26 - 40 - 298 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 7 - 0 |
Marc Bulger looked as good as he had all season putting in a spirited performance vs. the depleted secondary of the New Orleans Saints. Bulger managed to put up season highs in completions and yards, and nearly led the Rams to a huge upset of the undefeated Saints. It was also Bulger's 1st multi-TD game of the season as well. Bulger spread the ball around to many different targets with good efficiency and showed renewed arm strength. His lone miscue came early in the game when he threw a pick in the end zone. Aside from that mistake, this looked like Mark Martz-era Bulger. He even ran the ball well when flushed from the pocket. A confident Bulger could indeed lead the Rams to a few late season wins, but he remains bench fodder for fantasy owners.
| RB Steven Jackson, Rush: 26 - 131 - 1, Rec: 9 - 45 - 0 (13 targets) |
Jackson was borderline unstoppable in week 10, running hot from the get go and never really cooling off. This marked the 3rd straight game in which Jackson ran with this kind of force, putting up stellar numbers. He was a flat out beast breaking off large chunks of yards, running over tacklers and making quick shifts at the line of scrimmage. On one play it took the entire Saints defense to bring Jackson down as he rumbled forward for extra yardage. Jackson also made his mark in the renewed passing game of the Rams, hauling in a season high 9 passes. When the dust cleared on his brilliant effort he went for 146 yards on 35 total touches. Old school NFL numbers for an old school punishing running back.
| WR Brandon Gibson, Rec: 7 - 93 - 0 (9 targets) |
The Washington State product was impressive in week 10 for the Rams, catching his first passes as a professional player. Gibson was all over the field for the Rams hauling in 7 of his 9 targets for just under-100 yards in his debut. He looked like a veteran, running fluid routes and making would be tacklers miss with quick footwork. Gibson often fought for every yard he could get as well. The Rams WR's have struggled all-season, and there is an opening to be had in that crew. Gibson could find himself with a decent role moving forward as the injury to Keenan Burton is looking like it is season-ending. If this week is any indication, Gibson looks like he belongs.
| WR Donnie Avery, Rec: 4 - 67 - 2 (6 targets) |
Avery was able to make the most of a banged up Saints secondary in week 10 as he caught multiple TD's for the 1st time this season. His 2nd TD catch was a thing of beauty as he made a nice over the shoulder catch in the front corner of the end zone. Avery's main job was the stretch the field, and he did a fine job doing just that. He totaled 67 yards and just 4 catches. This was the Avery that fantasy owners were licking their chops to draft in the pre-season. There is really nothing wrong with Avery's game at this point, he just plays on an offense that has issues getting him the ball frequently.
| WR Danny Amendola (2 targets) |
The young WR was targeted a couple of times in week 10. He made a major mistake on a dropped pass which would have led to a key 3rd down conversion while the game was close late. His targets may decrease in future weeks if Brandon Gibson continues to emerge.
| WR Keenan Burton (1 targets) |
Burton left the game in the 1st quarter with right leg injury that will require season-ending surgery.
| TE Daniel Fells, Rec: 3 - 51 - 0 (3 targets) |
The backup TE Daniel Fells made a few nice catches on his way to a 3 for 51 game. He found himself open while working some seem routes most often. He was otherwise used a blocking TE during the game.
| TE Randy McMichael, Rec: 2 - 30 - 0 (5 targets) |
This is what Randy McMichael has become. A checkdown option that every now and then gets open downfield, but has trouble making tougher plays. In week 10 he made the easier receptions, but dropped a key 3rd down pass inside the Saints 10 yard line. He is clearly in at time share with the younger Daniel Fells at this point.